Renault Twingo Renaultsport (2008 – 2012) Review

March 2009

Twingo Renaultsport 133 unveiled

The Twingo’s distinctive looks have been made more incisive on the new flagship Renaultsport version thanks to wider front and rear wings, sculpted side skirts and an aerodynamic spoiler which all point to the car’s sporting character. Inside, the cabin has been tailored for focused sports driving, with a number of exclusive details: Renaultsport seats featuring enhanced lateral support, aluminium pedals, a leather steering wheel and a specific rev counter.

Twingo Renaultsport 133 is powered by a normally-aspirated 1.6-litre 16V engine developed by Renault Sport Technologies. The engine delivers 133hp at 6,750rpm with 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The unit’s punchy character is reinforced by the deeper engine note, which has been the focus of specific development. The four-into-one exhaust is a technological feat, striking a perfect balance between acoustics, performance and emissions.

As an option, Renaultsport decals can be added to the flanks or rear bumper. Inspired by the chequered flag, these designs conjure up images of the world of motor sport. Twingo Renaultsport 133 is fitted with 195-section tyres mounted on aluminium alloy wheels. They house substantial brake discs and calipers which provide powerful, durable braking performance. The new Twingo range-topper also introduces a new colour to the Renaultsport range, with the new Mirage Grey echoing Twingo Concept. Three other metallic shades are available (Pearl Black, Extreme Blue and Mercury) in addition to Capsicum Red.

The ergonomic driving position boasts several motor sport features, centred around the driver: aluminium pedals, four-spoke perforated leather steering wheel with dark charcoal stitching and a stitched red marker at the straight ahead point. Not only does this design offer increased comfort, it allows the driver a perfect grip in the ‘ten-to-two’ position. The rev-counter is located directly behind the steering wheel, echoing racing car design. Employing a specific typeface, the numbers grow in size as the needle approaches the red line at 7,000rpm. Just like in the cockpit of the ING Renault F1 Team’s R28 Formula 1 car, the rev-counter features a gear change alert to warn the driver as the engine approaches maximum revs.

The dark charcoal interior trim neatly expresses sporting performance. Offering additional lateral support and with excellent levels of comfort, the specific Renaultsport seats allow the driver to feel at one with the car. The colour of the Blood Orange seat belts matches the contrasting stitching on the upholstery.

Just like all other models in the Renaultsport range, the newcomer offers two chassis options. On both, the track has been widened by 60mm at the front and 59mm at the rear compared to Twingo GT. These modifications improve stability and lateral grip. The front suspension is a pseudo-MacPherson type arrangement, with aluminium lower arms. The adoption of pushrods on the dampers improves the performance of the anti-roll bar for even better body control.

September 2009

Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup launched

Priced at £11,795, £700 less than the standard version. The Cup does without air conditioning, automatic headlamp and wiper operation, extra tinted rear windows and features a one-piece bench in place of the usual independent sliding rear seats. Obviously, the Cup suspension pack is fitted as standard. Normally a £650 option on the regular 133, the Cup version is priced £1,350 less than a similarly-equipped car.

The Cup chassis offers handling to satisfy the demands of the enthusiast, offering optimum body control. The chassis rides 4mm lower than the standard Renaultsport setting and its lower centre of gravity improves in-corner performance thanks to reduced weight transfer. Tuned damper settings and higher spring rates (10 per cent stiffer front and rear) bring greater performance through improved body control. Anthracite-coloured 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels are equipped with Continental Sport Contact3 195/40 tyres.

Two new options are now available for both the Renaultsport 133 Cup and Renaultsport 133. The ‘Black and White’ Renault i.d. pack is £150 and offers Glacier White bodywork with gloss black finish to the door mirrors, rear spoiler and front bumper trims. Gloss black finish is available for the Cup 17” alloys wheels at £175.

November 2010

Twingo Gordini introduced

The new Twingo Gordini 100, powered by the 1.2 TCe (Turbo Control Efficiency) petrol engine, is aimed squarely at customers looking for good handling and affordable running costs, wrapped up in a chic and sporty three-door package.

Instantly recognisable as a Gordini, through its trademark twin racing stripes with subtle ‘G’ badging across the bonnet, roof and tailgate. Its striking apparel continues with gloss black front and rear bumpers, extra-tinted rear windows and tailgate and discreet Gordini Series badging. Colour palette choice of three – Malta Blue, with white Gordini stripes and matching details (foglight surrounds, door mirrors and rear spoiler), or Pearlescent Black and Glacier White. In the case of the latter, the styling details are picked out in anthracite.

Inside, the Gordini 100 features dark carbon cloth seats with embossed Gordini logo and white stitching, blue door trim inserts with white stitching and blue leather-trimmed steering wheel with two white stripes to indicate the straight ahead position. The Gordini rev-counter naturally comes in trademark blue with white background and bezel, while the Gordini gear lever knob shares the same blue hue, as does the gear lever base. Completing the raft of accoutrements is a gloss black centre console and aluminium pedals.

Standard kit includes 4x20W RDS radio with single CD MP3 player, Bluetooth™ and aux input, air conditioning, 15-inch ‘Turini’ alloy wheels with polished face and black inserts, cruise control, electric windows, speed limiter and independent sliding and folding rear seats.

Twingo Gordini 100 can also be ordered with features previously unavailable on GT, including polished alloys with blue inserts and leather upholstery, to be precise, leather-faced Gordini seats with blue detailing. Other options include climate control, metallic paint and electric panoramic sunroof with sunblind. The Gordini stripes on the bonnet, roof and tailgate are a no-cost removable option.

Under the bonnet is the latest version is the responsive 1.2 TCe petrol engine, pushing out 100hp at 5,500 rpm, with a top speed of 117 mph. Meanwhile, beneath the chic Gordini TCe 100 body, lies the GT chassis with stiffer shock absorbers and bushes, and recalibrated sports steering.

Emissions of 132 grams per kilometre, and combined fuel economy of 49.5 mpg. Crucially for a car of its ilk, and especially its appeal to younger buyers, its insurance group is likely to be competitive when it is formally announced soon.

The Gordini name has also attracted a sizeable cult following. Its fan community on Facebook has over 28,000 fans, while the Gordini iPhone application has been downloaded more than 115,000 times. Interestingly, the Facebook community's profile differs from that of the conventional Renaultsport models, in that it has twice as many female followers and is on average 15 years younger. Twingo Gordini 100 will be available to order from January 2011, priced £11,395.

July 2011

Silverstone GP limited edition on sale from . Renault UK has an existing relationship with Silverstone, the country’s most famous motor racing circuit and home of the British Grand Prix, through a fleet of Renaultsport trackday experience cars and the venue for several of the performance division’s trackdays, so it was only natural that the French marque took it as its latest inspiration.

The Twingo Silverstone has been specifically created for the UK market, still the largest home of Renault’s hot hatches worldwide, with only 50 available. The effusive Twingo Renaultsport 133, costs £14,995. With a wealth of extra equipment over the standard Renaultsport version on which it is based.

It sits on a lowered Cup Chassis with a striking combination of silver metallic paint and contrasting ‘Deep Black’ details, including 17” alloy wheels, roof and door mirrors. Completing the exclusive look, both of the new limited edition Renaultsport also features extra-tinted rear windows and Silverstone GP B-pillar badges inscribed with the new grand prix circuit map. The Twingo also benefits from a matching ‘Deep Black’ rear spoiler and fog light surrounds.

The pocket-rocket Twingo notably gains an all-new Renaultsport full stainless steel exhaust system, providing a suitable throaty soundtrack to match its visual presence. On the inside, it boast a unique numbered interior plaque (1-50), Renaultsport Monitor onboard performance tracking system and grey and black Renaultsport carpet mats.

Track-bred from the outset, owners also receive a free Renaultsport Experience at Silverstone, usually £175, so that they can explore the full handling and performance potential of their new metal in a real circuit environment, but under the expert tuition of a fully-qualified instructor. The Silverstone GP limited edition is available to order from 1July. The Twingo Renaultsport 133 version costs £14,995.